3D-Printed Biomaterials Degrade on Demand

Stereolithography — a method of 3D printing — uses an ultraviolet laser controlled by a computer-aided design system to trace patterns across the surface of a photoactive polymer solution. The light causes the polymers to link together, forming solid 3D structures from the solution. The tracing process is repeated until an entire object is built from the bottom up. Stereolithographic printing usually uses photoactive polymers that link together with covalent bonds, which are strong, but irreversible.